Simpler Living can Mean Prepared as Well

 Morning to all on this first Tuesday of February.  Hope this finds everyone well and safe.  It is a much warmer morning here!  My thermostat says 32* - TV says 28*.  Either one is warmer than any morning in a couple weeks or more - actually warmer than daytime highs for a long while.  It was a very cloudy day yesterday, and so far today.  I actually put my trash out to the curb for p/u today - first time I believe in a month!

I know many tend to think, when someone mentions simplifying, that it means doing without.  It does not.  You can still have nice things, still eat great meals, and still do things.  It just means a calmer, less stressful life to me.  Getting creative and being resilient.  It doesn't mean going all Little House on the Prairie!!!!

The world is a complex place, and the more control you take of YOUR space, the happier you will be.  You can only control YOU and your home, that it is really it. 

It will help with your mental health, to just living and loving your life, so much less stress.  It helps you be more self-sufficient - learning new ways and things - doing things differently.  Just calmer.

Some things to think about:

1.  RESOURCES - prepare for period of time. Whether it be a month, a couple months, a year....  Just the past couple weeks of bad weather has shown it pays to be prepared.  When IT hits the fan, people panic.  They act out in a way the just makes no common sense.  YOU need to prepare because of the chaos that can happen.  There are many reasons to have resources for your family, job loss, medical emergencies, weather events, economy, etc.

Keep the basics on hand to take care of your family (even cash)- it is very important.

2. LEARNING TO MAKE DO

Make do with less - enjoy a life with less clutter and stuff.  Know what you have - keep track and inventory.  Whether it is a smaller home (less to heat and care for), less choices of store-bought items (learn to make things), less stuff overall.  Live to survive (it can still be a great life).  You don't have to do without, just look at doing it all different.

3.  DIVERSE ECONOMY - learn new ways to make some kind of income in a different way.  Do not keep all your eggs in one basket, as the saying goes.  Diversify your portfolio if you have one.  Have skills that can make you money or can be traded for other things needed.  Look for new ways.

4.  LEARN TO DO

Learn how to do things yourself.  Repair, mend, cook, bake, garden, can, etc.  Be something other than just a consumer!!!!!  Be a producer!!!  It doesn't have to be complicated - we will still probably all need others to do certain things for us (especially as we age).  But having basic knowledge of a lot of things and being able to put that knowledge in practice is HUGE!  We learn by doing!

5.  COMMUNITY - good neighbors and family and friends is essential.  Help one another.  Can be anything - maybe a mow job, snow removal, planting a garden (sharing), fixing equipment, sewing and mending, baking, deliver a meal, etc........  

3, 4 and 5 all kind of go together in my mind.

Simplifying and living with less builds character - it makes for a sturdy lifestyle; it brings dignity and joy.  There will be no self-pity if something bad happens - you can take care of yours.

Money is not the all end - how we choose to handle trials says much about us.

Learning and doing helps us stretch ourselves and our resources when necessary and we can easily get inventive.

Start to look at things in a different way.  Do I need all this stuff?  Do I need to purchase this or do I have something else that can work?  Can't I bake that or make that snack at home?  Take time to think about major purchases and weigh the need.

Extravagance isn't necessary.

Learn to be happy in your own environment and with yourself.

Now I am not saying you can't buy that treat or special item when you want.  Because many will.  I just think it makes sense to know an alternative way - IN CASE!  You never know what can happen in this life.  A few minutes can change everything!

Find ways to feel blessed!!!!!!!

A simpler life can be such a good life, and you don't really sacrifice a thing.  I think you GAIN more than you lose.

Think about this and maybe start making some little changes each week.

Have a wonderful and blessed day.  Hope all are safe!